Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

James

James 
Day 
Day 3

"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials."

Text: James 1:2

SENDING OF GREETINGS

The Apostle Paul was always very formal and careful when he sent greetings to his readers. James was very different. The common way of greeting people was the word “Charein” (in Greek). It is translated “Greetings” in James 1:1. After a very brief word of greeting, James went straight into the writing of his epistle.

THE PROBLEM OF PERSECUTION IN THE FIRST CENTURY

There were problems faced by the early Church in the first century. The Book of Acts describes some of the problems: –

1. Persecutions arose from the Jewish authorities

a) The Sanhedrin Council led by the high priest Caiaphas commanded the Apostles not to preach the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:5-18).
b) Soon, arrests were made and the Apostles were jailed (Acts 5:18).
c) The first martyr of the church was a devout believer called Stephen who was stoned to death (Acts 7:58).

2. The secular authorities were involved in persecuting the Church (Acts 12:1)

a) James was the first apostle to die as martyr (Acts 12:2).
b) Peter was arrested but he was miraculously delivered by the Lord (Acts 12).

3. The Roman Emperor banned Jews from Rome

a) The first Christians were Jews.
b) Aquila and Priscilla were forced to leave their home in Rome (Acts 18:2).

WRITING TO BELIEVERS SCATTERED ABROAD

Two apostles wrote Epistles to believers who were scattered because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostles who wrote to encourage scattered believers were Peter and James.

“My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials.”
James 1:2

1. “My brethren”

a) James identifies himself with the scattered believers.
b) They may be scattered abroad but they were nevertheless “brethren”.
c) This was not a new experience.
i) Israel in days of old saw many scattered in Assyria and Babylon.
ii) Believers must learn how to cope in tough times.

2. “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials”

a) Joy was to be chosen! This was as dynamic as the approach taken by the Apostle Peter.
b) Trials need not cause the believer to lose his joy in the Lord (1 Peter 1:6-9).